This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Colorado brakes problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 36 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 36 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Chevrolet Colorado in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0442. Technician will need to review Techlink article from May 2013 titled "Using the Evaporative Emissions System Tester" Technician will need to follow these steps to help diagnose the issue. First after the P0442 has been verified do not disturb any of the fuel system components. The technician now can use the scan tool to close the Evaporative Emissions System. If possible change the tank pressure sensor units from inch_H2O to milimeter_Hg for better resolution. Now the vehicle can be star
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Colorado's brake system shows a pattern of serious defects starting early in the vehicle's life. The most frequent complaint is premature failure of ABS wheel hub sensors and assemblies, typically at 30,000–40,000 miles, causing false ABS engagement, warning lights, and loss of confidence in braking response. Repairs run $700–$1,300 per hub, and the problem often recurs in the same vehicle or progresses to the opposite side. Owners report Chevrolet refuses warranty coverage on older vehicles or those beyond ~60,000 miles.
A second major issue is uneven front brake pad wear—the inner pads fail to engage while outer pads wear normally, starving the rotors of cooling and causing severe corrosion despite no visible damage. Multiple independent shops report this affects 80% or more of Colorados they service.
Rear brake lockup at low speed is another hazard: brakes suddenly seize during gentle stops, throwing occupants forward and causing skidding. Repeated service adjustments offer only temporary relief. Other failures include complete loss of braking force, excessive brake grab after service, rotor cracks at 50,000 miles, and loose calipers. One owner reported brake lights disabled after a minor rear-end collision due to switch design. Throughout the narratives, owners cite frustration that Chevrolet refuses recalls despite widespread online documentation of these problems.
Same Chevrolet Colorado brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Inner front brake pads fail to function; outer pads wear normally
One side of dual brake pad assembly (inner pads) does not engage. Outer pads wear at normal rate while inner pads show little or no wear despite thousands of miles. Inner rotors corrode from lack of contact.
When: 80,000 miles; detected during routine inspection after 4 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Inner brake pads remain at factory thickness after 80,000 miles; Outer pads show normal wear; Inner rotor surfaces badly corroded despite no scoring or warpage; Owner reports never having properly operating front brakes over 4-year period
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors replaced; outer pads replaced; independent shops report 14 out of 17 Colorados serviced exhibited same failure (>80% rate). Dealer proposed 3–6 month inspections at $40 per visit as temporary measure.
ABS sensor/hub assembly failure causing false ABS engagement and warning lights
ABS system intermittently activates without cause or during normal braking. Wheel hub speed sensors or complete hub assemblies fail prematurely, triggering ABS fault light. Brake pedal vibrates excessively as if ABS is pulsing. Problem recurs after repairs.
When: 30,000–40,000 miles on new vehicles; some failures at 10,000–15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS fault light comes on intermittently or stays lit; Brake pedal vibrates excessively when brakes applied; ABS engages without cause during normal driving; Brakes do not respond as expected; uncertainty about whether ABS will function; Pedal sometimes goes near or to floor; After engine restart, light may go off temporarily then return
Codes mentioned: ABS fault code (specific codes not detailed by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Front wheel hubs and speed sensors replaced; costs reported $700–$1,300 per repair. Problem recurs in same truck or progresses to opposite side. Multiple owners report repairs have not resolved issue permanently; several paid twice for same side due to warranty disputes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet customer service refused to address issue on vehicles older than approximately 5–6 years or with higher mileage; owners report refusal to provide written response; repair costs denied under warranty after initial repair period elapsed.
Rear brake lockup at low speed during deceleration
Rear brakes lock up without warning, especially during slow-speed stops or gentle braking. Lockup can be sudden and violent, causing skidding and loss of vehicle control.
When: Occurs during normal braking, particularly when slowing to stop
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes lock up suddenly at low speeds; Lockup catches driver off guard, throwing occupant forward; May lock and unlock intermittently or lock hard and skid; Severe squealing from rear brakes; Loss of vehicle control during lockup
Repairs/costs cited: Repeated adjustments at service shops (intervals of 2–5 weeks reported); no permanent repair identified. One owner required adjustment roughly 26 times annually after brake service.
Complete brake failure during light braking at low speed
Brake pedal becomes non-functional or extremely soft, extending to floor with little or no stopping force. Occurs at low speed (10–15 mph); vehicle does not respond to brake application.
When: At 4,000 miles (repeated failure); 200 miles (single event); occurs sporadically over years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extends to floor with no or minimal resistance; Vehicle does not slow or stop when brakes applied; Pedal goes soft and squishy; Loss of braking force during emergency stop attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Brake system replaced multiple times in one case (over one occasion) with problem recurring. Dealer unable to duplicate failure in some cases. Driver resorted to downshifting to lower gear to stop vehicle.
Excessive brake grab and grabbing after service or in wet conditions
Brakes grab or engage too aggressively after new pads installed or when wet. Brakes lock up in driveway even when not applied. Uneven or harsh braking response.
When: After brake service in one case (February 2009); weather-dependent (rain, wet roads)
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive grabbing or locking feeling during light brake application; Brakes lock up in driveway without driver input; Cannot move vehicle forward or in reverse when brakes lock; Unsafe on wet roads; owner avoids rainy day driving; Rear brake shoe wear excessive compared to front discs
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brakes adjusted repeatedly at independent shop and GM dealer (approximately 26 visits annually in one case). Dealer advised only ongoing adjustments possible; no root cause corrected. High metal content noted in replacement brake pads in one case.
Brake rotor cracks and premature corrosion
Front rotors crack prematurely or develop severe corrosion, requiring replacement. Rotors fail despite no scoring or warpage. Corrosion occurs even when pads are not functioning, suggesting design flaw in moisture control or pad pressure distribution.
When: 50,000–65,000 miles; corrosion visible at 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks visible on front rotor surfaces at 50,000 miles; Severe corrosion on inner rotor surfaces; Squealing and grinding noises from rotors; Rotor cracks on both sides of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors replaced; one owner cited corrosion required replacement even though rotors had no scoring or warpage. Grinding noise repairs involved complete front brake system overhaul.
Brake light switch failure after minor collision
Brake light switch becomes damaged or burned out from minor rear-end collision impact, preventing brake lights from functioning. Switch design allows collision energy to damage electrical contacts.
When: Immediate effect after low-speed rear collision ($1,500 damage to rear bumper)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate; Switch contacts burned out or not engaging
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid out of pocket for replacement switch and installation after insurance company denied claim citing vehicle fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet customer service refused to address or repair under warranty; classified as vehicle fault rather than collision damage.
ABS system engages unexpectedly during normal braking, pulling vehicle to one side
ABS activates without cause or for minimal reason during normal braking, causing brake pedal to pulse and vehicle to pull hard to one side. Problem occurs after hub or sensor replacement.
When: After hub assembly replacement; occurs intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages during normal brake application; Brake pedal pulses or vibrates; Vehicle pulls hard to left (or specified direction) when braking; Dangerous directional instability during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Chevrolet replaced three hub assemblies; owner paid for two of three replacements. Problem persists after repairs.
Loose front brake calipers
Front disc brake calipers come loose from mounting, causing rattling sound and potential uneven braking. Loosening detected over time on rough road surfaces.
When: First noticed at 12,000 miles; worsens over time
Symptoms owners cite: Loose rattling sound from front brakes, especially on washboard/rough roads; Sound becomes worse over time; Occasional uneven stopping of vehicle; Sound not noticeable on paved roads
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired under warranty with OE parts; owner expressed concern problem will reoccur with time.
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was an increased stopping distance, and the antilock brakes activated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the front brake pads needed to be replaced, and the rotors resurfaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted. The manufacturer was not alerted.
2006 Chevy colorado- 4wd- z71, extend cab 1. Premature rear brake shoe wear (more than front disk); 2. Right brake light blows out repeatedly and shows shortout burns on contacts at bulb socket. Replacing bulb just blows each time. 3. Rear window leaks in heavy rain storms. *tr
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 29,073 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,073; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.